Telecom operator Vodafone Idea has inked a $3.6 billion (around Rs 30,000 crore) deal with Nokia, Ericsson, and Samsung in process of acquiring a delivery network equipment over a three-year period.

This deal is believed to watch the company's shares.

The agreement represents the first phase of the company's $6.6 billion, three-year capital expenditure plan.

The plan's objectives are to launch the company's 5G network in strategic markets, increase capacity in line with data growth, and cover 1.2 billion more people with 4G than the current 1.03 billion.

“We are on our journey of VIL 2.0 and from hereon, VIL will stage a smart turnaround to effectively participate in the industry growth opportunities. Nokia and Ericsson have been our partners since our inception and this marks another milestone in that continuing partnership. We are pleased to start our new partnership with Samsung. We look forward to work closely with all our partners as we move into the 5G era,” Akshaya Moondra, CEO of Vodafone Idea, said.

For capacity development, the telecom operator has depended on its long-standing partners, Nokia and Ericsson, in addition to bringing onboard Samsung as a new partner.

Vodafone Idea added that a more flexible, modular deployment plan designed for cutting-edge technologies like 4G and 5G will be possible thanks to the insights these three manufacturers have garnered over the past two years in the Indian market.

In addition to increasing energy efficiency, the new equipment will help the telecom operator save operating expenses.

Deliveries under these long-term contracts are scheduled to start in the upcoming quarter, and the company's main goal is to increase 4G service to 1.2 billion people in India.

In the meantime, an equity raising is being used to fund Vodafone Idea's current capital expenditures. On the other hand, the company is in advanced talks with both new and current lenders regarding its long-term goals in order to secure financed facilities totaling Rs 25,000 crore and non-fund-based support worth an additional Rs 10,000 crore.